Off-topic » Neal also among some of the names fueling the ongoing d

Five Quick Thoughts for a Monday: 1. NORRIS COLE (Heat): Its funny, you watch a guy play and now really produce and it just jumps off the page at you - why? You put a young player with potential in a winning environment where there is veteran leadership, outstanding coaching and management and a way that things are done and its a wonderful environment for growth, improvement in a climate of constant accountability and expectation of achievement/production. When he was drafted out of Cleveland State this was a young man who could go either way as a pro but the professionalism of the team that drafted him has been a wonderful place for him to be nurtured and educated on how to be a good pro. Hes really impressed me with his play off the bench and has made a significant difference against Indiana in key moments. Proper environment truly does effect outcomes. 2. INDY DEFENCE: Im sorry but the Pacers have NO chance of winning this series if they continue to allow the Heat to shoot 50 per cent plus as theyve done in all of the first three games. The Pacers have been an outstanding defensive team the past few years and thats their "calling card" - it sure aint their offence! To think that youre going to run up and down with the Heat and match buckets - good luck with that. The small/skilled lineups that the Heat throw out there are making Roy Hibbert and David West ineffective to say the least. Its easy to say but hard to do, but the Pacers have to start mucking it up and make this a much more physical and hotly contested defensive style of play. Miami is a flow team and if you allow them to get in rhythm and swing the ball with minimal resistance you might as well set up tee times for next week. The D had better be drastically better on Monday night or this series will wind down quickly. 3. SERGE IBAKA and REGGIE JACKSON (Thunder): A combined 30 points from two starters vs. minimal production from Nick Collison and Thabo Sefolosha - what a difference! Add another playmaker in Jackson (five assists) to the mix and suddenly the ball moves with a purpose and they look like a "team" instead of an "iso show" and then Ibaka was brilliant coming back from the injury with seven boards and four blocks - talk about impact performance. Suddenly the rim/paint was being protected and the Thunder played with some force and swagger defensively and on the boards. Good players used properly and healthy enough to play changes how things go drastically. Winning is really hard and you need your top guys there or you are overwhelmed at times. Now that looked like the OKC Thunder on Sunday night. If they can continue to play that way weve got a series that will go seven games. 4. NBA DRAFT: You watch the Playoffs so far and the thing that continues to jump out at me is how the NBA has changed over the years. How that reflects on this years Draft is that if youre the Cavs and the Bucks with the first two picks youve really got to think long and hard about how Joel Embiids game fits in the league today versus the upside over a 10-12 year period of guys like Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker. This has become a perimeter-based league with skilled guys who can do it all versus the traditional brand of power basketball which still has its place in the game...yet at what price? Always a terrific philosophical discussion for GMs, executives and coaches to hash out. 5. POTENTIAL VS. PRODUCTION (Terrence Ross and Jonas Valanciunas, Raptors): You can talk about the No. 20, 37 and 59 picks in this years Draft that the Raptors have and the free agent decisions and possible moves that GM Masai Ujiri can make this off-season. But for the Raptors to continue to improve and take nice gradual building steps over the next few years the significant improvement in every respect from these two youngsters is paramount. Players are made in the off-season and teams are developed in-season. Will these two young men pay the price between now and early October and come back stronger, more skilled, more knowledgeable and ready to be consistent winning pieces that take an organization from respectable to another gear? Only time will tell. "To whom much is given (major minutes and starting opportunities as sophomores), much is expected." Cant wait to see what both young men come back like in the Fall. Their improvement/development will define the next step for the Raptors. Lots of attention will be focused on the role of head coach Dwane Casey and his staff along with the support staff in the further growth of both guys but in my opinion its a whole lot more now on these two guys personally of how bad do they want to be next level players? When you reach your third year as a pro its time for you to be able to "figure it out" on your own and the coaches are there to guide you on the proper path - yet its on YOU. Its time to be consistent producers in every respect. How these young men (I really like both of them) take personal ownership of their professional careers will set the stage for the long-term direction of the Raptors and the moves Ujiri needs to make accordingly to fill in the blanks. The proper environment exists for both to improve significantly - now its on them to seize the opportunity given to them. Sean Manaea Jersey .That is precisely what they got Sunday.The Ravens trailed at halftime and never built a comfortable lead against lowly Jacksonville, yet did just enough to squeeze out a 20-12 win to stay in the thick of the AFC playoff race. Santiago Casilla Jersey . "Im excited just for a new start, just to see where things are going, to bring some kind of tradition back to the team and guys being excited about something new," the defensive back said during a conference call Monday after agreeing to stay with the Bombers rather than go to free agency next month. http://www.athleticsrookiestore.com/Athletics-Kendall-Graveman-Kids-Jersey/ . -- Barry Bonds is all set to return to the San Francisco Giants. Andrew Triggs Jersey . - A late-game interception by defensive back Malcolm Butler saved the Super Bowl for the New England Patriots. Blake Treinen Jersey . Henry, who missed three games with a knee injury, was charged with a handball in the penalty area in the 82nd minute as he went to block a strike from Patrick Mullins. On the ensuing penalty kick, Lee Nguyen picked up his fourth goal of the season, giving the Revolution a 2-1 win Saturday afternoon.The Canadian Olympic management team met Saturday and Sunday in California, prior to the NHL Board of Governors meetings, to further analyze Canadas list of players vying for a spot on the 2014 Olympic team. P.K. Subbans status remains a hot topic among Canadian hockey fans while Subbans play is of more interest to Team Canadas executive director, Steve Yzerman. Yzerman and company are guarding the specifics of their discussions, however, its believed Subbans stock is on the rise. The reigning Norris Trophy winner still hasnt played his way into the top 6 on Canadas projected lineup, but he has tempered some of the defensive concerns the group has and he is definitely a leading contender for one of the coveted eight spots on the Canadian blueline. Up front, as many as 23 forwards remain in the mix. Avalanche star Matt Duchene is still a prime candidate, however, with just one assist in the six games hes played since returning from injury, Duchenes stock is falling. Left wing is a particularly intriguing position with Chris Kunitz, Milan Lucic, Patrick Sharp and James Neal also among some of the names fueling the ongoing debate. Below is the collection of graphics used on Sportscentre to illustrate the latest Olympic team hopefuls, as well as those in the fight for the various positions. Goaltenders No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 Carey Price Roberto Luongo Mike Smith Defence Left Defence Right Defence Duncan Keith Drew Doughty Jay Bouwmeester Shea Weber Marc-Edouard Vlasic Alex Pietrangelo Dan Boyle (RD) P.ddddddddddddK. Subban Forward Left Wing Centre Right Wing Logan Couture Sidney Crosby Steven Stamkos Jamie Benn Jonathan Toews Claude Giroux Patrick Marleau John Tavares Rick Nash Eric Staal Ryan Getzlaf Corey Perry Matt Duchene Jeff Carter Fighting for Positions Forwards Defence LW Chris Kunitz RD Brent Seabrook LW Patrick Sharp RD Kris Letang LW Milan Lucic LD Mark Giordano LW James Neal LD Marc Staal C Patrice Bergeron LD Dan Hamhuis RW Martin St. Louis Truth is, both the Canadian management group and coaching staff are thrilled to have an extra week to assess the talent before making final decisions just before the January 7th announcement. ' ' '